Prickly pear blossoms

I am struggling with this one.  I still need to do lots of thread work on it, i.e., adding the thorns with a varigated yellow to brown thread.   I think I am going to just go forward even though I want to stop!

In this picture, I am also experimenting with using larger pieces of fabric instead of giblets.

Bluebonnet

I keep working with these blues.  I just love them.  For this 5x7 bluebonnet image, I chose to make my own mats and then wrap around stretcher boards to for an 8x10 gallery wrap.  I think it works!

Butterfly Roses

In Fredericksburg, the city has used the butterfly rose (Rosa Mutabilis) in many of the plantings, most notably at Markt Platz.  It is a beautiful antique type single rose which has 3 colors on one bush.  As the blossom ages it turns colors before shattering.  It is truly lovely.  Here is one of my photos of my rose bush.

This last week I did this 8x10 rendering of these roses.  

Adhamh, Julia, Duncan feeding the horse

Since my last post I have done the background for the picture that I started on the 5th.  It is 20x24.  I am now working on the horse ...  Here is my work to date.  Also, I am uploading the photo which I'm using as a model.  I love the line from Julia's head down to the apple then up the back of the horse!

So, the horse is so heavy and dark.  I'll post more when I get there!

New start

Yesterday was the day. You know the feeling when you can't work fast enough? I was so inspired when I began to select fabrics for the new picture, just so excited to see those colors! Brain working faster than poor hands could go. So, I have my sky laid in and will begin on the faraway part of the landscape today. This is good work.

Fine Arts Association of the Hill Country Gala

Our fine arts club is having a gala event on Sat., April 30th.  The proceeds from the ticket sales go towards a scholarship for a high school student.  The event will be at a warehouse next to the Peanut Mill restaurant in Mason.   There will be food, music and wonderful art.  The event gets better every year.  The warehouse is transformed into a beautiful venue.   Members are able to enter five pieces into this sale.  Here are mine!

Bluebonnet, 3.5x5, framed for table top, fabric collage.

Bluebonnet, 7x5, framed for table top, fabric collage.

Bluebonnet, 5x7, framed for table top, fabric collage.

Dagger, 5x3.5, framed for table top, thread painting.

Bluebonnet, 5x7, framed for table top, fabric collage.

Songbird Quilting Retreat, Kingsland, Texas

What a wonderful experience to go on a retreat!  Eight of us went to Songbird for three days and two nights.  Our host and hostess were wonderful and the house was exceptional.  We had lovely meals and wonderful work area.  Here are two of the pictures I completed and have in a gallery!  These and others of my things can be seen at Artisans of Rocky Hill gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas.  The two above are 4x6, matted and framed to 8x10 table tops.